Absolutes & Concretes

Absolutes are produced by solvent extraction. Absolutes dissolve in alcohol and fixed oils but not in water. As the name implies, solvent extraction causes substances such as petroleum ether to pass through the prepared plant parts. The solvent is then evaporated off leaving a mixture of waxes and oil. This is called the concrete. After the removal of the waxes there remains the highly fragrant, intensely strong substance known as the absolute.